ending
"Su Jing—!!!"
Chu Yiran's "roar" seemed to break through the shackles of his soul. He exerted his strength suddenly, but in a dizzying moment, he opened his eyes and sat up halfway.
The scene before him left him completely stunned—there was no yellow sand of the northern desert, no blood-stained battlefield, only a clean white hospital bed, a yellowed TCM acupoint chart hanging on the wall, and an old TV cabinet opposite, with a flat-screen TV on it.
A faint medicinal fragrance filled the air, replacing the smell of gunpowder and blood.
He instinctively touched his head, his fingertips brushing against a thick bandage, a faint pain emanating from the wound.
Before he could even process his thoughts, the ward door was gently pushed open, and a young Taoist priest in a robe walked in carrying a bowl of medicine. Seeing that he was awake, his eyes lit up instantly: "You're awake?"
The young Taoist priest put down the medicine bowl, turned around and ran outside, his voice filled with excitement: "Master! Master! The injured gentleman has woken up!"
Chu Yiran sat on the hospital bed, her mind a complete mess.
Where is this? Wasn't he watching Su Jing breathe his last in the northern desert? How did he suddenly appear here?
Soon, the young Taoist priest followed a Taoist master with white hair and beard into the room.
Upon seeing the Taoist priest's face, Chu Yiran's pupils constricted, and he murmured, "Master..." He struggled to get out of bed, but the Taoist priest quickly stepped forward and pressed him down.
"Your injuries haven't healed yet, lie down quickly." Master Jingyang's voice was still gentle as he placed his fingertips on his pulse, carefully taking his pulse. "You've been unconscious for three days, and your qi and blood are still weak."
"What exactly happened?" Chu Yiran asked anxiously, suppressing the turmoil in his heart.
Master Jingyang stroked his beard and pointed to the young Taoist beside him: "This is my disciple Yang Cai. Three days ago, he came down the mountain to give a lecture and found you at the landslide site halfway up Nantang Mountain. At that time, you were covered in injuries and unconscious."
“Our Taixu Temple has a cooperative trial treatment point with the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department of Jiangcheng Central Hospital, so we asked a doctor to come and treat your wound.” The Taoist priest paused, then added, “It’s been raining these past few days, so it’s probably a landslide that injured you.”
Landslide?
Chu Yiran's memories suddenly returned—he was filming "The Dream of the Past" at Nantang Mountain. There was an explosion scene in the film, but the detonation point suddenly went awry, causing rocks to slide down the mountain. In the chaos, he seemed to see Su Jing rush over and shield him with her body…
"Master!" Chu Yiran suddenly grabbed Master Jingyang's sleeve, her voice trembling, "Have you seen the person with me?"
Master Jingyang smiled knowingly and reached out to pull back the white curtain beside the hospital bed: "Are you talking about him?"
The white curtain was suddenly opened, revealing a familiar figure lying on the hospital bed next to it.
Su Jing had a bandage wrapped around his forehead, an IV drip in his right hand, and a pale but still handsome face. He was sleeping peacefully at the moment.
"Su Jing!" Chu Yiran's heart jumped into his throat. He wanted to rush over, but was held down by Daoist Jingyang.
“He’s more seriously injured than you, with two broken ribs, but he’s not in mortal danger,” Yang Cai explained from the side. “The doctor said he just lost too much blood, and he should wake up soon after the anesthesia wears off.”
Chu Yiran finally breathed a sigh of relief, her gaze fixed on Su Jing's face, her heart pounding uncontrollably.
"You're Chu Yiran, right?" Yang Cai suddenly spoke, picking up the remote control from the bedside table and turning on the TV. "I think I've seen you on TV before."
The television screen lit up, and the local news channel was broadcasting an emergency report: "On the afternoon of February 28th, actress Chu Yiran was filming the TV series 'The Dream of the Past' at Nantang Mountain when a blasting operation went awry, causing a rockfall. Fellow actor Su Jing attempted to rescue Chu Yiran, and both were buried under the falling rocks. After rescue teams arrived, a sudden downpour hit Nantang Mountain, triggering mudslides in some areas, significantly increasing the difficulty of the search… As of now, neither of them has been found, and relevant departments are conducting a full-scale search and rescue operation…"
Yang Cai pointed to the stills of Chu Yiran and Su Jing on the screen and said, "These must be you guys, right? When we found you, your costumes were all torn, and you probably lost your phones and IDs during the landslide." He took out his own phone and handed it over, "Would you like to call home to let them know you're safe?"
Chu Yiran looked at his reflection on his phone screen, then at Su Jing sleeping beside him. A mix of emotions welled up inside him. His past and present lives were intertwined before his eyes, making it difficult for him to detach himself from the situation. He shook his head, his voice slightly hoarse: "No need for now."
"When... will he wake up?" Chu Yiran's gaze returned to Su Jing, her tone carrying a hint of nervousness that she herself was unaware of.
"It should be soon. The nurse just came to check on him and said his vital signs are very stable," Yang Cai replied.
Master Jingyang patted him on the shoulder: "You two should rest well first. Call us anytime if you need anything." With that, he quietly led Yang Cai out of the ward.
The ward returned to silence, with only the ticking of the medical equipment and the steady breathing of the two people.
Chu Yiran leaned against the headboard, gazing at Su Jing's sleeping profile, his mind flashing back to those images—their companionship in the ice chamber, the power struggles in the court, the yellow sands and blood of the northern desert…
——
The rain outside the window pattered softly and incessantly, as if pouring out all the sorrows of the world. Su Jing was still asleep. Chu Yiran leaned against the headboard, his mind a jumble of emotions, unsure how to face the awakened Su Jing.
When the nurse brought him lunch, Chu Yiran felt a little better. He ate a few bites, then struggled to get out of bed and left the ward.
The courtyard of Taixu Temple was exceptionally clean after being washed by the rain, and the bluestone path gleamed with a damp sheen.
The carved beams and painted rafters, the blue bricks and gray tiles before him gradually overlapped with the Taixu Temple from his previous life in his memory. However, the electronic prayer lamps hanging under the corridor and the hand sanitizer placed in the corner kept reminding him that this was not the previous life, but the modern world.
He wandered aimlessly and unknowingly arrived at the main hall. Incense smoke curled inside, and the statues of gods sat solemnly. Chu Yiran slowly walked in, knelt on the prayer mat, and pressed his forehead against the cool cushion, reluctant to get up for a long time.
All the grievances, resentments, and disappointments buried deep in my heart surged up with the sound of rain.
"Is something on your mind, sir?" Master Jingyang's voice rang out from behind, gentle yet penetrating.
Chu Yiran suddenly looked up, his eyes already red. He stood up, looked at the Taoist priest, and asked in a choked voice, "Master, do you believe in reincarnation?"
Master Jingyang remained silent, only smiling as he looked at him. Chu Yiran, as if grasping at a lifeline, blurted out everything he wanted to say—how he had followed Su Jing from humble beginnings to the throne, the misunderstandings and battles between the two, how Su Jing had guarded his body and avenged him, and how he had finally died in battle in the northern desert; and how in this life he had wanted to escape, but was still entangled with Su Jing until that accidental falling of the rolling stone.
“I only just realized it myself,” Chu Yiran’s voice was filled with pain, “Why is it that in this life my father is still dead, but my mother is still alive; why did Su Jing only appear a year after I ‘transmigrated’—because in my previous life, he died in the first year after my death…”
The image of Su Jing collapsing in the yellow sands of northern desert resurfaced in Chu Yiran's mind, and his Adam's apple bobbed violently: "Master, what should I do?"
Master Jingyang raised his hand and patted his shoulder, his gaze profound: "The arising and ceasing of things are all governed by cause and effect. But in the end, everything is subject to the word 'heart'. In this life, people often carry too much and have too deep an attachment, but sometimes, by letting go of the troubles, your heart will tell you the answer."
Before Chu Yiran could say anything more, Yang Cai suddenly rushed in, panting, "Mr. Chu! The other gentleman has woken up!"
"Su Jing is awake?" Chu Yiran's heart jumped into her throat instantly. Without saying a word, she turned around and ran to the ward.
The moment he pushed open the door, his eyes met those of Su Jing, who was sitting up. The ward was so quiet you could hear the rain. After a long silence, Chu Yiran finally spoke, his voice trembling, "You're awake... Su Jing."
Su Jing merely frowned, a hint of confusion and detachment in his eyes: "Why am I here?" He rubbed his temples. "I remember being hit by a falling ceiling during the filming event. What happened after that?"
Chu Yiran was struck dumb, and staggered: "You...you don't remember?"
Su Jing looked at him questioningly, shook her head, and groped around on the bedside table: "Where's my phone?"
Yang Cai quickly handed over his phone: "Sir, you lost your things during the landslide, please use mine for now."
Su Jing took the phone, thanked him politely, and quickly dialed a number.
Chu Yiran froze on the spot, a terrifying thought suddenly flashing through his mind—the reason Su Jing from the previous life transmigrated to this life was because Su Jing in this life was injured by a falling ceiling; now he says he doesn't remember, could it be... that Su Jing from the past life has left again?
Su Jing made several phone calls, calmly explaining the situation. After hanging up, she returned the phone to Yang Cai and said politely, "Thank you. I've already sent someone to pick us up. However, it's raining heavily now, so we might not arrive until tomorrow. Could you please arrange another room for me? I'm not used to sleeping with people I don't know well."
The words "unfamiliar" pierced Chu Yiran's heart like needles.
Yang Cai quickly agreed, "Yes, yes, there's a ward right next door!" As he spoke, he stepped forward to help Su Jing hold up the IV drip bottle, "Sir, let me help you over there."
Su Jing nodded her thanks and brushed past Chu Yiran as she stood up.
His eyes were calm and unwavering, as if the person in front of him was just a stranger he had met by chance. Chu Yiran's heart sank down as he thought of the real Su Jing from his previous life, the polite, restrained, and even somewhat aloof top star.
Chu Yiran stood frozen in place until Su Jing's figure disappeared through the doorway before slowly coming back to his senses.
The rain seemed to grow louder, tapping against the window and against his heart.
Where is Su Jing, who transmigrated here? Chu Yiran recalled the image of him lying in the yellow sands of the northern desert in his mind. Could it be that he... has completely disappeared?
Chu Yiran walked to the window, watching Su Jing being helped by Yang Cai towards the next ward through the rain. A sense of emptiness filled him. The rain blurred the view outside the window, and also blurred Chu Yiran's vision. He raised his hand to wipe his eyes, only to find that tears had already begun to flow.
——
That night, Chu Yiran barely slept a wink.
The memories of guarding the ice chamber and the bloody battle in the northern desert from his past life, along with the accident on the film set and the reunion at Taixu Temple in this life, kept intertwining in his mind, disturbing his peace of mind. It wasn't until dawn that the rain gradually stopped, and a sliver of light shone through the window.
Early in the morning, Yang Cai knocked on the door and came in with a smile on his face: "Mr. Chu, the people who are here to pick you up have arrived at the gate. You can leave as soon as you've packed up."
Chu Yiran nodded, stood up and straightened her clothes. Just as she reached the door of the ward, she saw Su Jing standing in the corridor, talking to Daoist Jingyang. He bowed slightly, his expression respectful and devout, but the distant politeness felt unfamiliar and jarring to Chu Yiran.
Master Jingyang took his leave first, and Su Jing turned his gaze to the courtyard and walked over.
In the courtyard after the rain, many fallen fruits lay scattered under the fruit trees. He half-squatted down, picked up a bright red fruit, and as he looked down, a very faint, warm smile appeared on his lips.
This scene struck Chu Yiran like a tidal wave. He suddenly remembered that in his previous life at the Taixu Temple, his mother, Zheng Shuyi, had also picked up fruit in this way, muttering that she wanted to save some for him and his father, before turning around and handing one to Su Jing...
His heart tightened, and he quickly stepped forward, his voice trembling almost imperceptibly: "Su Jing, are you pretending to have amnesia?"
Su Jing's back stiffened abruptly, then he slowly stood up and turned around, his eyes still indifferent: "What are you saying? The people who are here to pick us up have arrived. Let's go."
As he was about to turn and leave, Chu Yiran's voice suddenly rose: "Su Jing, if you dare to take another step forward, we're completely finished!"
Su Jing stopped in her tracks, her fingertips unconsciously tightening their grip on the fruit in her hand.
Chu Yiran was both angry and anxious, his eyes instantly reddening. He stepped forward to Su Jing, staring at him and questioning him word by word: "I'm asking you! After the Battle of Mobei, did my mother not die? Have you been hiding this from me all this time?"
Su Jing's pupils suddenly contracted, and she stared at him in shock: "How could you..."
"I also know that you faked your death, intending to deal with Shen Ji alone!" Chu Yiran's speech became faster and faster. "After I died, you quelled the rebellion in Jiangnan, exonerated the Chu family, made Su Zhi the crown prince, killed Shen Ji and Su Yan, found the fragments of my father's armor, and finally went to seek revenge on Helian Chong, dying in the yellow sands of the northern desert!"
With each sentence, Su Jing's face paled further, until Chu Yiran finished speaking, at which point he murmured, "How... how did you know all this?"
"You're insane! You're a complete and utter madman!" Chu Yiran finally couldn't hold back any longer and cursed out loud, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably. "What trick are you playing now? Pretending to have amnesia? Trying to fool me again?"
Seeing him cry, Su Jing panicked instantly and rushed forward to wipe his tears, her voice pleading, "No, A-Ran, I wasn't pretending... You know how much pain I was in after I transmigrated last time. I struggled for a long time and realized you were right. In this life, I shouldn't bother you anymore, and I shouldn't bind you with my past obsessions."
His eyes reddened, and his voice trembled slightly: "I dare not ask for your forgiveness, I only hope you can be happy. I want you to live the life you want, free from the entanglements of our past lives..."
"That's what I hate most about you!" Chu Yiran pushed him away abruptly, tears streaming down her face. "You're always so autocratic, you never consult me about anything, you just do things your own way! What I want is never 'for my own good,' I just want you to be honest with me, but you've lied to me and kept secrets from me time and time again!"
Seeing Chu Yiran's trembling shoulders from crying, Su Jing felt a sharp pain in his heart, as if it were being torn apart. He frantically wiped away Chu Yiran's tears, but the more he wiped, the more tears flowed. Finally, he sighed softly, carefully pulling Chu Yiran into his arms, his voice filled with remorse: "I was wrong, Yiran, I was really wrong. You can scold me, you can hit me, just please stop crying, okay? Your crying breaks my heart..."
“From now on, I will no longer hide anything from you, and I will discuss everything with you. I have avenged all the grudges from my past life, and I have no more worries. My only wish is to be with you. If you are willing, we will continue on this path together; if you are not willing, I will respect your choice and will never pester you.”
Chu Yiran buried her face in his arms and nodded through her tears.
Su Jing's body stiffened instantly, her heart sinking to the bottom: "You... don't want to?"
Chu Yiran nodded through her tears. Su Jing stiffened, about to say "okay," but then felt something was off... Finally, she tentatively asked, "Then... shall we continue to be together...?"
Chu Yiran nodded through her tears.
Su Jing felt a little relieved and hugged Chu Yiran even tighter.
Just then, footsteps sounded at the courtyard gate. Wu Jingyun, Su Ting, and Zheng Shuyi entered, led by Daoist Jingyang. They were all stunned to see the two embracing and weeping. Zheng Shuyi blinked in confusion, seemingly not understanding what had happened; Wu Jingyun and Su Ting exchanged a glance, their faces showing relieved smiles.
The sunlight after the rain filtered through the leaves, falling warmly and brightly on the two of them. All the misunderstandings and entanglements that had spanned a thousand years, all the resentment and obsessions buried deep in their hearts, were finally bathed in the sunlight at this moment.
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